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The History of Clue

The History of Clue

November 18th, 2011Games

Whether or not you work as a police detective, chances are you've gotten the opportunity to solve a mystery or two, even if it was only in a board game! The game Clue has been a favorite for many families over the years, but the history of the classic pastime might remain a mystery to some. In order to shed some light on the popular game's origins, here are a few facts.

Clue was first invented in 1944 by an English bureaucrat named Anthony E. Pratt. He and his wife spent many years perfecting the game and creating an in-depth murder mystery. Pratt got a patent and brought the game to Waddington's Games in Leeds, where the company's employees played a game with the Pratts and their friends before agreeing that the game was a worthwhile investment.

Because of a shortage of materials during the war, it took until 1949 for the game to be manufactured and sold to consumers in England. The game was first called Cluedo, and continues to go by that name in England. Parker Brothers eventually got the U.S. rights to manufacture the game, and has been doing do ever since (although it is now a part of Hasbro).

The game consists of six suspects: Colonel Mustard, Miss Peacock, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green and Miss Scarlet. None of these characters had much depth in the original game - they were only pictures and names on a card.

More recently, new editions have altered the characters and added more layers. For example, one new version has updated the weapons, suspects and rooms to be more modern, and is set at a dinner party at a millionaire's mansion. The billiard room and the revolver have been replaced by newer alternatives, but the main objective remains the same.